Enthusiastic Participation in EPA Environmental Law

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 003915

SIPDIS

STATE PASS USAID

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV XF JO
SUBJECT: Enthusiastic Participation in EPA Environmental Law
Workshop in Amman



1. Summary: Participants at a May 8-11 MEPI- and OES-
sponsored EPA course on environmental law in Amman were so
passionate and enthusiastic that they wouldn't stop talking,
according to an EPA facilitator. The professional caliber
of the participants was high and represented a wide range of
institutions, adding depth to the discussion. End summary.

19 Participants - Wide Geographic and Professional Range
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2. With funding from OES and a grant from State's Middle
East Partnership Initiative (MEPI),three facilitators from
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented a
four-day workshop in Amman on May 8-11 on the principles of
environmental law and enforcement. OES funding was in
support of the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement. There was
a total of nineteen participants (eleven from Jordan, two
from Egypt, one from Tunisia, one from Yemen, two from the
Palestinian Authority, and two from Algeria.) There was one
cancellation a week before the course, and four no-shows,
including three from the large Jordanian group and a Yemeni.


3. The participants were geographically and institutionally
diverse, representing central government, non-profit, NGOs,
and regional government. There were scientists, engineers,
lawyers, and government officials in the group. This
diversity added real strength to the discussion because
participants came with extremely different roles and skills.
Their individual practical experiences in environmental
protection were shared readily, and gave new perspectives to
other participants.

Minister Opens Class - Jordan Needs Economic Tools
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4. Jordanian Minister of Environment Khaled Irani opened
the class, emphasizing his desire to develop a prioritized
national strategy so that the Ministry is not reactive. He
said that the Environmental Impact Assessment by-law is
Jordan's most important environmental regulation, but added
that Jordan lacks capacity in harnessing economic forces for
environmental protection and in organizing an effective
inspection regime. Irani was forthright in thanking EPA for
their support of the environment in Jordan.

Biggest Problem - Lack of Enforcement
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5. In setting the groundwork for the course, several
participants referred to a lack of enforcement as being the
biggest environmental law issue in their country. A related
problem was a lack of knowledge among lawyers and judges
about environmental issues. Other items mentioned as
problematic were a lack of legal standards, a lack of
economic incentives for environmental protection, and a need
for more public awareness.

Facilitators Build Conceptual Framework, Not Minutiae
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6. EPA's basic course framework, modified on the fly by the
three EPA facilitators, effectively pointed out to the
participants the sources of environmental law and
implementation that they could draw on in their particular
situation. Because participants came from a wide variety of
institutions and countries, there were too many variables
from which to create a specific plan that would apply to
each participant. Instead, the facilitators introduced a
framework approach that individual participants could tailor
to their specific settings and needs.

Closing Remarks - Kudos to EPA
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7. Jordanian Environment Minister Irani spoke again at the
wrap-up session, thanking EPA and the State Department for
their support. The participants told him they wanted to
form a regional network of environmental law officials, and
Irani graciously designated a member of his staff to serve
as the node for this nascent group. Several participants
complimented the professional skills of the EPA facilitators
and said they were "very impressed."

Positive and Negative Aspects of the Course
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8. Strong points of the course were the passionate, open
discussion that took place from the very first session, the
professional knowledge of the participants, and the
diversity of their career roles. The course was driven by
the participants and they were "not shy," according to one
EPA facilitator, about asking questions and sharing their
own experiences.


9. One aspect of the course that merits further evaluation
was the absence of a professional translator from a group
where several participants were not proficient in English.
Participants from the course filled the void and translated
when necessary. While this may have actually improved the
quality and depth of the interaction in some ways, it also
put a tremendous burden on the individuals who translated,
detracting from their ability to participate on their own
right.


10. Getting names of participants from the host governments
was a time-consuming task, as was making the travel
arrangements. Key factors to success were an early start,
dogged work by EPA's logistics contractor INECE and support
from embassies around the region to facilitate communication
between participants and INECE.

Outcomes: Reform, Environmental Protection, Rule of Law
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11. Comment: This class clearly promoted several USG goals
in the region. Attendees saw the United States as a partner
and participant in their issues. They were given tools with
which to reform, from the inside, their own environmental
law systems, advancing U.S. interests in rule of law,
transparent governance and environmental protection. The
value of stakeholder participation was emphasized, not only
by EPA facilitators but by the simple presence of a diverse
group from Jordan and in remarks by Minister Irani. The
strong support and participation from Jordan pushed the
event over the top, making it truly regional and
participatory, with lasting value.

HALE